BREAKING NEWS

Republican women gather for reception

MARTINSBURG – The Gateway Republican Women gathered for a victory reception aimed at honoring the political party’s females currently holding office Sunday.

“We represent the Eastern Panhandle,” the association’s president, Karen Evans, said. “Our primary focus is really to work on supporting our candidate, highlighting the vote and getting out in the community.”

The 30-member association is affiliated with the West Virginia Federation of Republican Women and the National Federation of Republican Women.

The reception, held at the Purple Iris, served to honor Berkeley County office-holders Pamela Games-Neely, prosecuting attorney; Elaine Mauck, Berkeley County Council member; Jefferson County office-holders Joann Overington, magistrate; Jane Tabb, county commissioner; and Jennifer Maghan, county clerk; and Morgan County office-holders, Kimberly Hanback, circuit clerk; and Debra Kesecker, county clerk.

“The Gateway Republican Women (association) does more than have receptions,” first vice president Pam Brush said.

In the past, Evans said, the association has held forums aimed at informing voters, in addition to volunteering at voter registrations and hosting community fundraisers.

“The idea is to get people together, talk about relevant issues, inform (members) how to get more information out to the community and be actively engaged,” she said.

Conrad Lucas, chairman of the state’s Republican Party, was the event’s guest speaker, noting his first political experience was running for Berkeley Springs High School student body president 12 or 13 years ago.

Lucas is now currently the youngest state chairman in the country.

“Today is a day where we celebrate female office-holders, and women in West Virginia have had incredible success for a long time. Of course, we know your congresswoman, Shelley Moore Capito, has been a leader in our party for 12 years in elected office now. My friend Betty Ireland, former secretary of state, was just named to the board of Maggie’s List,” Lucas said, detailing the organization focused on electing fiscally conservative members of Congress. “Influence of West Virginia women in the Republican Party is felt nationally, very much so.”

Of the 46 Republican members of the House of Delegates, a quarter are women, Lucas said.

“Anyone who wants to be involved on any level in the state party should just ask. We’re growing, it’s an exciting time and we know the importance of the Eastern Panhandle and the importance of innovation,” Lucas said. “People are attracted to our party in West Virginia because of our platform. The best thing about politics currently is the Republican platform and, from our perspective, the Democrat platform. We’re very happy to promote theirs along with ours.”

April 19 and 20, the association will host a statewide meeting of the WVFRW.